Tom Sykes gets nod over Eugene Laverty to join Michael van der Mark in factory BMW World Superbike team for 2021

Toomebridge man Laverty and 2013 champion Sykes were ultimately pitted against one another in a battle to secure the second seat in the team, following the signing of current Pata Yamaha rider Michael van der Mark in July.

Yorkshireman Sykes will now team up with the Dutchman next season as he enters his third year on the BMW S1000RR.

BMW Motorrad Motorsport Director Marc Bongers said: “Tom has been part of our WorldSBK Team from the very start and is an important pillar of this project.

“We are pleased to be able to continue along the common path in 2021, which we embarked upon with the first tests back in December 2018. This gives us continuity, which is very important for the successful development of a project.

“We have already achieved a lot together, and the goal is now to definitively close the gap to the front-runners. Tom’s extensive knowledge of the BMW S1000RR and his input will play a key role in achieving this.”

Sykes, who achieved a best result of sixth place on three occasions so far this season – all coming in Superpole sprint races – is currently 10th in the standings with 47 points, while team-mate Laverty - who joined the team this season - has 16 points in 14th position.

The fourth round of the championship takes place this weekend at Motorland Aragon in Spain, which will also host round five on successive weekends.

Title leader Jonathan Rea is gunning for a sixth world crown with Kawasaki and leads Ducati’s Scott Redding by four points ahead of the Aragon double-header.

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